DVDs

As part of our information service you can view our DVDs below :

Understanding Dementia

Understanding Dementia provides a broad overview of how brain function can be significantly disrupted by dementia and how changed brain functioning can produce many of the symptoms and behaviours that typically occur in dementia.

A detailed account of the main divisions of the brain and an overview of the functions of the temporal, parietal and frontal lobes of the brain is provided.

Through the careful use of three-dimensional graphics, it traces the way in which Alzheimer's Disease first presents in the individual and spreads through different parts of the brain.

Distinctions are made between short term and long- term memory and between episodic and semantic memory.

Understanding Challenging Behaviours

explores in much greater depth different behaviours such as wandering, repetitive questioning and agitation/aggression - the type of behaviours we know can cause caregivers strain and which not infrequently result in people with a dementia being admitted to long term care.

A conceptual model is provided which may be useful to help practitioners and family caregivers better understand the root cause of these behaviours. Through the clever use of vignettes, different strategies to help address some of these challenging behaviours are demonstrated.

The point is made that whilst the interventions covered in the programme may not work in every case, knowing the person and his or her life story is critical to best practice in dementia care and that drugs should only ever be considered when all other interventions and options are exhausted.

8. Cahill S & Diaz-Ponce A (2011). I hate having nobody here, I’d like to know where they all are”: Can qualitative research detect differences in quality of life among nursing home residents with different levels of cognitive impairment? Ageing and Mental Health, 15(5), 562-572

14. Cahill, S., Begley, E., Faulkner, J., Hagen, I. (2007).”It Gives me a Sense of Independence”: Findings from Ireland on the Use and Usefulness of Assistive Technologies for people with dementia. Technology & Disability, 19(2) 133-142.

15. Topo P, Saarikalle K, Begley E, Cahill S, Holthe T, and Macijauskiene J (2007). I don’t know about the past or the future, but today its Friday: Evaluation of a time aid for people with dementia. Technology & Disability, 19(2) 121-131.

23. Cahill, S., Drury, M., Lawlor, B., O’Connor, D.& O’Connell, M. (2003). “They have started to call it their club”: A survey of staff views of dementia-specific day care centres in Ireland. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 2(1), 85-103.

9. Cahill, S., & Linehan, J. (2007). Report of the Working Group on Residential Services for the Person with Dementia. Services for Older People, Advancing the National Agenda.Health Service Executive.

10. Pierce, M. and Cahill, S. (2012) ‘Dementia Services in Ireland: National Report’ for the London School of Economics (LSE) research project Informal Care in Europe: A Review of the Evidence on Policies and Best Practices commissioned by the Network on Health and Living Conditions, Observatory on the Social Situation, European Commission, DG Employment and Social Affairs.

11. Cahill, S., O’Shea, E. and Pierce, M. (2011) ‘Dementia Services in Ireland: National Report’ for London School of Economics (LSE) research project The State of Dementia Services in Europe: Fit for Purpose for the 21st Century, Project commissioned by the Network on Health and Living Conditions, Observatory on the Social European Commission, DG Employment and Social Affairs

6. Cahill, S. (2004). Developing dementia specific day centers and support for family caregivers. Proceedings from Conference entitled “The Role and Future Development of Day Services for Older People". Report No. 79. National Council on Ageing and Older Persons

7. Cahill, S. (2003). Older People in Long Term Residential Care: Proceedings from Conference entitled “Healthy Ageing". Report No. 80. National Council on Ageing and Older Persons

Guides / Books

Future Dementia Care in Ireland

Dementia: A positive guide

Dementia: A positive guide provides you with material gathered over time from practitioners, and carers, which draws on a wide range of ideas you can utilize as you ‘up skill’ and ‘empower’ family members and carers in their care giving role.

Reports

Universal Design Guidelines For People with Dementia, their Families and Carers
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design

Research for Dementia and Home Design in Ireland

A research report titled: "Dementia and Home Design; Looking at New Build and Retro-Fit Homes from a Universal Design Approach" commissioned by the Centre for Excellence at the National Disability Authority (NDA) and undertaken by the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre and Trinity Haus, Trinity College.